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About The Loup City northwestern. (Loup City, Neb.) 189?-1917 | View Entire Issue (July 12, 1901)
15he Sccmrge j A Story of I ^ jcWthe East.. of £v©urx\«xsc\is By SYLVANUS COBB, JR. Copyrighted |89| by Robert Bonuer's Sons. INTRODUCTION. Horam, King of Damascus, then at Its glory as the zenith city of the east, bemoaned the coming of old age without prospective heir to the throne. In his younger days he had loved Helen, his queen, but fearing that she was disloyal to him had her cast Into the black, swift flowing Phorpar. At the time the story opens Ulin, the daughter of Aboul Cassem, the king's prime minister, three times dreams that she has become the wife of the king and that a son being born to them is heir to the throne. Cassem tells the story to the king. The latter having long admired the many charms of Ulin, seeks an interview with her and on the sixth day following they are to be married. He thereupon abolishes his harem. Within the week Albia, the pretty slave maid-in-w'ait ing to Ulin, tells the story of the tragic fate of Helen. The story makes a deep impression and preys upon the mind of the bride-to-be. But her father urges her on and she now deems it a sacred duty to become the queen. On the morning set for the wedding Ulin's mother dies. According to the laws of Damascus she must go into mourning retirement for thirty days. Horam agrees with her father that she shall pass the period of mourning in a se cluded palace in the beautiful Valley of Lycanius. This valley is the sole pos session of the king and can only be reached by one passage through a mighty mountain, capable of admitting but one person at a time. Thither Ulin goes with Albia, where they are placed under the protection of the attendants by the king and Ulin's father. Six days after their entering Horam returns unexpectedly. Ulin acting on the suggestion of Albia, treats him kindly. CHAPTER I. Julian the Scouge. She asked if her father had coma. “No, my sweet lady,” returned Ho ram. “He was busy. It may appear I unseemly for me to come hither alone; | but my great love and my deep so ici tude for your welfare, must be my ex- j cuse. I hope you have found it pleas- j ant here.” The maiden said she could not have asked for a more pleasant place of abode. The king was charmed by her smil ing speech—so different from what she had ever before given him—and he fondly believed that she was delighted with his presence. Ulin, fearing that the least sign of coldness or reserve might excite the jealousy of the grey-headed-monarch, and bring down upon her some terrible evil, exerted all her powers of pleas antness, and wore the smile upon her face while a pang was in her bosom. But Horam’s visit was destined to be cut short. While he was, for the sixth time making excuses for his visit the door of the apartment was unceremoniously opened and a black entered—not one of those wrho had been on guard in the valley but a stranger to Ulin, covered with sweat and dust, as though he had been riding hard and fast. “Ha!” cried the king, starting to his feet. “How now, Sadak? What is the meaning of this?” “Pardon, sire. I knew not that you were thus engaged. They only told me that you were here and I stopped to inquire no further.” “Not that—not that Sadak. Why have you come from Damascus in such hot haste?" “I came bo inform you sire that Ju lian the Scourge of Damascus is ap proaching our city!” “Death and devastation!” cried Ho ram starting back with alarm. “How know you this?” “We heard from him by way of a merchant who was in a caravan that he had robbed." “What caravan?” “The caravan from Tadmoor, with the riches which were on their way from Bassora.” “Those riches were mine,” said Ho ram. ■ Aye, Bire; ana juuan iook mem— took all that belonged to you, but spared the poorer merchants. But that is not the worst. He sends word that he will lay Damascus in ashes. Aboul Cassem bade me hasten hither and give you warning.” The king was fairly beside himself with fear and rage. The name of Ju lian was a terror to him, and at the sound thereof he trembled exceedingly. And he seemed to fear more than the mere physical prowess of the Scourge. There was a mystic quality In his fear —a nameless dread of the avenger. “Where is the demon now?” he ask ed, after he had gazed awhile in si’enee upon the messenger. “He is not far from the city, sire. Somewhere to the eastward, we think. Your journey back, if you make haste, will be safe.” “I will return,” cried the monarch, smiting his fists together; “and I will bring out an army and sweep this ter rible Scourge from off the face of the l earth!" He bade Sadak go and make ready for the start, and then he turned to ITlin. “You will be safe here, sweet one; and it will not be long before our hap piness shall be complete.” His words of parting were few, for he was much excited, -and his voice trembled as he spoke. He turned back once after he had reached the <!oor, ob though he would say something, but finally went away without giving tht intended speech. From a window I 1 in watched the royal cavalcade until it had disappeared within the narrow pass, and when the last man had gone from her eight she turned to her com panion. “Albia, what is it about this terrible robber—this Scourge of Damascus? I have heard something about him. I heard my father once speak of him; but my little knowledge of the world did not lead me to be inquisitive. Do you know anything about him?" “I have heard a great deal of him, my lady. He has been a terror to Da mascus for a great many years. “How many years, Albia? 1 wa3 thinking that my father said he had not been long known in this section.” “I may be mistaken,” said Albia, trying to recollect herself. “I know that lie is a terrible Scourge, and that men fear him; but I do not know how many years he has been so. It may not be so many as 1 thought.” ‘‘But who is he? Where did he come from ?" “Ah, there is a -mystery, my dear mistress. Nobody knows where he j came from; but it is said that he is , one whose family lies suffered some I great calamity at the hands of Horam. He is alone in the world, so far as rela tives are concerned, and Horam hath done it; and so he comes to seek ven geance. He has a large body of bold men under him. and twice has he met and overcome the forces which the king had sent out to capture him. He does not rob as common robbers do. He never troubles the poor, or those of the middle class; but the rulers and princes of Damascus he causes to suf fer.” “Did you ever see him, Albia?" “Mercy! no. I would not see him for | the world. He must be terrible to ! look upon. I have heard one of your j father's officers say that he could strike a blow with his fist to fell an ox. and that before the lightning of his eye brave men shrank in terror. O, I should be afraid to see him.’’ “It seems to me that 1 should like to see such a man," said Ulin, in a musing tone. “I have never seen such men. The man whose arm can strike down an ox, and whose eye flashes forth such power, could not harm a helpless maiden." “Upon my life, you have a curious taste,” Albia returned. “Because.” added Ulin, with a smile, “I never had my taste cultivated. Still, in all seriousness, it does seem to me that I should love to lean upon a strong, bold man. If I were to love a man with my whole heart, I should like him to be so strong and so power ful and so brave, that his very pres ence would be protection to me. Is that very strange?” “It is so strange,” replied the slave, significantly, “that I fancy the king would feel new cause for jealousy if he should hear you say so.” “When I am the king’s wife I shall be true to him, and I shall honor and respect him. I will love him if I can. But, Albia, there Is no need of saying more. We will have our dinner, and then we will walk out into the gar den.” Suddenly a messenger appears ask ing for assistance from the guard. With 50 stalwart guards he hurries to ward the gates. “What can it be?” cried the prin cess, in alarm. But Albia could not imagine. She could only beg of her mistress to take courage, and hope for no evil. Ere long, however, another messen ger came to the palace, who made his way to the room where the princess was sitting. He trembled with ex citement. “How now, Aswad?" demanded Ulin. "What is the meaning of all this dis turbance?” “Alas, my lady, an enemy is at our gates. The terrible Scourge of Damas cus demands entrance into the valley.” “What does he seek?" “I dare not tell you?” “What seeks he?” cried the princess, authoritatively. “If there is danger, I would know what it is." “There may not be danger for you, lady. We may beat the robber off. We will do so if we can.’’ “But the king told me that a hand ful of determined men could hold that pass against a thousand." “But these are not ordinary men. This Julian Is a very demon, and I verily believe that he hath more than human power. Still we will do the best that we can.” “You have not told me what he seeks. Answer me that question—an swer it without further hesitation.” “He seeks the maiden whom the king is to take for a wife.” “Seeks me?” uttered the princess, with a start. “Yes, my lady. Such is his avowal." “In mercy’s name, good Aswad, pro tect me. Let not that dreadful robber gain access to the valley.” "Hurry, hurry!” cried Albia. "Away to your companions, and bid them strain every nerve. If they suffer the Acoui&e ui DeniUacua tu gain p^^su^c hither they know what the wrath of the king must be.” “Powers of heaven!” cried Ulin with clasped hands and quivering frame "the demon must not find us.’ “You are not so anxious to see him as you were” remarked Albia. “I thought your whim was a strange one.” “Speak not of that” said Ulin quick ly and severely. “I meant not that I would have him come to aeek me. O Albia, what can he want?” “Indeed, my mistress, I dare not think. But let us look In another direc tion. If he does not find us. we care uot why he conies. Ha! See! Here conies Aswad again. He looks fright ened.” Aswad entered the chamber with trembling step and soomed afraid to speak; but the demand of the princess opened his lips. •‘Lady, 1 fear that the robber will prevail against us. He is accompanied by fierce, furious men, who fight like lions,and his own sword is irresistible. His body is covered with scales of fin est steel and the blows of our men fall harmless upon him.” ‘‘But the dreadful man has not yet broken through?" said Ulin eagerly. “No, lady. Our brave men fight as well as they can.” ‘‘Has the robber entered the pass?" ‘‘Not far.” ‘‘Then you may "hold him at bay yet. O, Aswad, if you would be blessed for evermore let not the Scourge gain tha valley! ’ “We will do our best, lady; but you must be prepared for the worst. If we are finally overcome you must bide yourself.” “Where? V.’here can we hide?”ask ed Albia. "In the palace or somewhere in <be gardens; or upon the mountains ” “There is no hiding place which a keen eye would not detect. I have looked in every direction. So, Aswad, save us by your stout arms.” ‘‘I fear the demons will prevail," said Ulin, in a ton3 of breathless sus pense. "I dare not hope otherwise,” return ed Albia. “If they do come, we must find some place in which to hide.” “Alas, my dear mistress, there is no such place. If w'e go up among the rocks, we not only run the risk of be ing easily found, but we run the greater risk of starving.” "I would rather starve than fall into the dread Julian's hands,” said Ulin. “It would be a terrible death to starve upon those bleak rocks!" re turned Albia, with a shudder. “But I will share your fate, my mistress, let it be what it may.” ‘‘And would not death by starvation be preferable to the fate which must meet us if that monster captures us? O, Albia, I cannot think of it.” Before the slave could reply they saw Aswad again coming toward them; but he did not enter the palace. He struck off into a path that led to the westward, and fled with all his might. Directly afterwards a score of the guards came rushing from the pass and when they had gained thy open space, they threw down their swor.ls and sank upon their knees. "What means that?” cried Ulin. “Are they killed?” "No,” answered Albia. “They are overcome, and have surrendered. See! there come the victors!” "Let us flee!” exclaimed the prin cess, starting to her feet. "O, we must find some place of refuge!” Albia was more thoughtful. She saw very plainly that flight would be useless. "My dear mistress,” she said, taking Ulin’s hand. "We must hope for the best. If we leave the palace, we shall be overtaken at once; for the way ti the mountains lies only through the park of fountains. If we flee to the garden in the rear, we shall be surely found, and It may be worse for us In the end. If this dreadful Julian has the least spark of humanity in his bosom, he will respect you more In your own chamber than he would if he found you hiding in the garden.” "Spirits of mercy defend us!” ejacu lated the princess, clasping her hands upon her bosom, and sinking back in her seat. “O, Albia, Albia, the pres ence of the king would now be a hies sing!” The faithful slave crept close to her mistress, and tried to speak words of comfort; but her own fears were too deep and intense to permit comfort ing power to her words. She could not be calm in view of the coming of that dreadful man, at the sound of whose name even the monarchs trem bled. (To be continued.) Drest In the Senate. It is not always safe to judge a man by his clothes, but dress goes a long way in certain localities. If any one doubts our democracy let him spend a day in the gallery of the United States Senate, the least dignified “Upper House” of legislation in the world. "Befo’ de wah” all members were clean shaven, wore black frocks and high stocks, beavers, peg-top trousers, and a solemn air of public Importance privately expressed. They believed in their hearts that they were statesmen, and the world acknowledged them as such. Dignity was their chief quality, pride their most cherished possession. The old-timer?, like Morgan, Teller. Cockrell, Berry, Proctor and Daniel, still wear their before-the-war clothos, dignity and pride, but the post-bel lum regiment of politicians is uni formed in the sack suit or the cuta way!.—New York Press. The West Point of Mexico. In Mexico experience has conclusive ly shown that officers and even sol diers cannot be improvised, and tha very first care of General Diaz has been to establish a good school for in stiucting scientific officers. The mil: tary school of Chapultepec in its ac tual condition is the fruit of his efforts. Many foreign officers of different na« tionalitles have visited that establish ment and believe that it ranks among the first in the comprehensiveness and perfection of military instruction there imparted and in the severe but just discipline to which the cadets are sub jected.—National Geographic Maga zine. Not all are asleep who have their eyes shut. CASE OF BABCOCK. TRUSTED BY ONE PARTY WHILE SERVING ANOTHER. Author of a f’lnii TrovUlom A r# In C'ontl ct with Mini ness .IuiIrinent, Itomi unite Sanity mi l the I'rlnriploa of the Itrpulilie.iu flat form. Mr. Babcock of Wisconsin enjoys the unique distinction of being a con spicuous member of one political party while at the same time actively en gaged ia promoting the prospects and furthering the fortunes of another po litical party. This gentleman is the rep resentative in Congress of a district composed largely of Republican vot ers, he is a member of the House Com mittee on Ways and Meaus and he is also the chairman of the National Re publican Congressional Committee. While occupying this relation to his constituents and to the Republican party as a whole Mr. Babcock has suc ceeded in gaining the fervent regard of the enemies of his party. As a matter of fact he disputes with the New England Free-Trade League the priority of invention in connection with the formation of a plan whose success involves the overthrow of the Republican party. It often happens that one man is able to obtain a patent on another man's invention. Be that as it may, Mr. Babcock seems to have the best of the situation, for even though the New England Free-Trade j-.vague may nave originated tne idea, | the Wisconsin Congressman was clear- | ly the first to get a patent on it. We refer to the bill which Mr. Bab cock. a Republican congressman, a Re publican member of the ways and means committee, and the chairman of the National Republican Congres sional eommittee, has introduced and proposes to urge for passage propos ing to repeal all protective duties on foreign made articles eutering Into competition with trust made articles in the United States. With loud ac claim the Democrats and Free-Traders have hailed Mr. Babcock as a states man after their own hearts. Why should they not? Has he not earned their gratitude and their admiration? What more could he do to entitle him self to honorary membership In the Cobden club? He stands sponsor for a legislative measure which embodies ti e Cobdenite contention that "Pro tection is robbery" and that "the tariff is tire mother of trusts." He has adopt ed this view' as his own, and with all the zeal of a new convert he avows his intention to press for the repeal of all duties that afford protection to ar ticles produced by domestic trusts. Considering that such a revision of the tariff would take away protection from nearly every industry in the country, and that while it would not smash a single trust it would wreck thousands of independent industrial establish ments not identified with any trust, Congressman Babcock is clearly en titled to all the free-trade adulation that Is now being poured out upon him. Mr. Babcock has leaped into fame at one bound. So did Benedict Arnold, among others. There is fame and fame. But what about Mr. Babcock’s relations with the Republican party? He is the representative elect of his district in the Fifty-seventh congress and cannot be unseated prior to March 4, 1903. He can, however, be omitted from the house committee on ways and means when the eommittee assign ments are made next December, and he can fail of re-election as chairman of the National Republican Congres sional committee. As the responsible author of a bill whose provisions are in direct conflict with the platform of tne Republican party, as an avowed enemy to the policy of protection to American labor and industry, is he en titled to remain, ought he to be per mitted to remain a pseudo-Republican member of the house ways and means committee? Should he be again hon ored and trusted with chairmauship of the National Republican Congres sional committee? The obvious an swer is No. To retain Mr. Babcock in either position would be to bestow a reward upon treachery and disloyalty. Babcock must go! STOP AND THINK. HlUil Adherence to • Program Fraught with ItIUohlef and DUa*t«*r. Like some other Republican news papers which are carried off their feet by the proposition that the tariff should he removed from all articles which can be produced so cheaply as to enable American manufacturers to successfully compete for the control of foreign markets, the St, Paul "Pion eer-Press" gives unqualified support to the Babcock programme of so revising the Dlngley tariff law as to abolish protective duties on foreign products competing with the products of the Iren and steel trust. Out-IIeroding Herod, the "Pioneer-Press" is pirpared to go much farther than the Babcock bill in the direction of tariff reform, for it urges that "Every consideration of party policy demands that the Republican party shall promptly deprive its enemies of a weapon which may easily become powerful and effective in their hands— that it shall completely dissociate the piotectivo tariff from the trusts by the speedy abolishment of all duties on trust-made articles." if this wholesale scheme of tariff revision were to he carried out the re sult would be to practically place the countiy on a free-trade basis, for there are very few industries which are not to some extent in the hands of trusts. Therefore, to repeal protective duties on all foreign articles competing with American trust-made articles would virtually Involve the repeal of all pro teetivc duties. What, then, becomes of the concerns operating outside and in dependent of the trusts? There are some thousands of such concerns which are engaged in supplying the home demand and do little or nothing in the way of export business. For example, the woolen trust. Only a small proportion of the manufacturers of woolen textiles are incorporated in to the American Woolen Company. Shall all the-e mills be deprived of protective duties merely for the sake of punishing a combination with which they are in no way connected? Shall the iron and steel producers outside of the big trust be forced to close down their mills and discharge their work men in order that free-traders and tariff tinkers may make the gallery play of taking away from the bllllon dollar trust the protection which it frankly states It does not need and does not. want? That sort of claptrap would not disturb the bllllon-dollar trust a particle. As a matter of fact it would play into the hands of the big trust by driving a large number of non-trust concerns out? of business. But how about the non-trust concerns in all the different lines of industrial production—concerns which employ a greater number of wage-earners than do the trusts? Republican newspapers of the “Pioneer-Press” stripe should think of these things before plunging heels-over-head into the anti-trust tariff reform puddle. Fever Did and Never Will* Remove the customs duties from Iron and steel products and the battle field of trade Is at once broadened to include this country. It may be—it probably is true—that the billion-dol lar steel corporation would still be able to manufacture and sell its pro ducts at a reduced price, but it would be forced to turn on the smaller cor porations. Transfer the scene of price cutting to this country and the hun dreds of iron and steel manufacturers who are now doing a profitable busi ness would be forced to the wall, as they are not in a position to meet the cut. They might try to reduce wages, but workmen would object to that course. Strikes and lockouts would follow, capital would become timid again, the distrust would displace con fidence in all financial and business circles. By all means, bring out your ‘'tariff reform” theory for another airing. Columns may be written In its sup port—books may be written to prove its soundness. But it never did woik satisfactorily in tills country and never will —Milwaukee ‘'Sentinel.’* An Inspiration. It's not a campaign year, but never theless, take off your hat and give a long, loud "Hurrah for McKinley and his policy at home and abroad” and watch the eyes glisten and the cheeks flush. The wonderful success of the greatest living Republican and the magnificent manner in which he is conducting the affairs of the nation, is an inspiration and a source of con tinual gratification to the entire coun try.—Clinton (Mo.) “Republican.* Otherwlie Employed. It Is early yet for the Democracy to begin “paramounting” an issue. Just now that party has about all it can do to keep the more enlightened and progressive element thereof from j breaking Into the Republican party.— Moweaqua (111.) “Republican.” FAITHFUL. WATCHFUL. ALERT REVENUE iS SWEET. What ff»pp«nail 'flim I’atleno<( Hail t'emcil to be a Virtue. There U an unusually quiet citizen vtp near tbe crown of Piety hill who la just now thinking a great deal of him self. One of his neighbors has thres pet dogs. When separated they are well behaved and considerate to strangers, but when together they seem to regard it as an imperative duty to try to eat any agent or other strange caller at the house. After they had bitten three little children belong ing to the quiet citizen, torn his wife's best gown, and snapped at him while he crossed the lot, he decided that duty as a husband and father called for ac tion on his part. One evening he reached the house with a bulldog, bred in the purple, and much to be admired because he was so excruciatingly ugly. In a few days he followed his master wherever he went. Thus assured, the man made a call on his neighbor with the three pets. The French bull want ed to play, and cut great antics in trying to entice the trio Into the game. They just snarled, showed their teeth and darted at him when tbe opening 3eemed favorable. Finally he was bit ten on the end of his stub tail by the Scotch terrier, and be made a rush that his master checked in time. “Let him go,” urged the host. "He's not dangerous, and the dogs can take care of themselves. I'll be responsible." The quiet man demurred until the pets were charging right into his lap after their prey, when he let go as if to protect himself. The imported cyclone had the air full of dogs for about three minutes. There was a continuous crash of bric-a-brac, all the light fur niture was dancing, the host w’as kick ing about wildly, and the quiet man was making an admirable bluff at try ing to restrain his property. When the entertainment was over the sitting room looked like a junk shop. The neighbors had some little argument about whether the bull pup should he killed on the spot, and when the quiet man left he went out backward, cau tioning his neighbor In a low tone of voice not to do anything rash. The neighbor has given away two of his pets, and advertised for one of these fighting white bulldogs with pink eyes. —Detroit Free Press. JOHN MUIR AT HIS WORK. The tiood Mm* DUcovcrlfls on live Muir (Under. “For twenty-five years John Muir has made out of doors his realm. For more than half this time he lived and wandered alone over the high Sierras, through the Yosemit.e valley, and among the glaciers of C’alifornii and Alaska, studying, sketching, climbing. At night he sometimes rested luxuri ously, wrapped in a half-blanket beside u camp-fire; sometimes, when fuel was wanting, and the way too arduous to admit of carrying his piece of blanket, he hollowed for himself a snug nest in the snow. He is no longer a young man, but when last I saw him he was making plans to go again to the North, to explore the four new glaciers dis covered last summer by the Harrlman expedition. ‘What do you corue here for?’ two Alaskan Indians once asked him. when they had accompanied him as far, through perilous ways, as he could hi.'a or coax them to go. ‘To get knowledge,’ was his reply. The Indians grunted; t-hey had no words to express their opinion of this extraordinary lu natic. They turned back and left him to venture alone across the great gla cier, which now bears his name. So trifling a matter as their desertion could not deter him from his purpose. He built a cabin at the edges of the glacier, and there setttled to work, and to live, for two long years. Ha made daily trips over that Icy region of deep gorges, rugged descents and vast moraines, taking notes and mak ing sketches, until he had obtained the knowledge, and the understanding of the knowledge, that he was after. Muir Glacier is the largest glacier dis charging Into the wonderful Glacier Bay on the Alaskan coast. Being the most accessible one In that region, tourists are allowed to go ashore to climb upon Its sheer. Icy cliffs, and watch the many Icebergs that go tum bling down from It. This Is a thrill ing experience to the globe-trotter, but to dwell there beside the glacier, to study the phenomena, encounter perils, alone and unaided, is an experience that few besides John Muir would court.”—Adaline Knapp in Ainslee’s. Altogether Novel. Ah for blouses of lingerie materials, they will be altogether novel when worn with a corselet skirt of black taf feta, which will lace or button In close princess lines or In loose folds that will be drawn up high over the bust. The blouse of white lawn is tucked and lace inset to a marvelous degree, and the sleeves, tucked down from the shoulders, spread Into simply enor mous bishops, which are gathered at the wrints into a deep flounce of lace that entirely covers the hands. Artificial Marble. Manufacturers are actually making marble by the same process by which nature makes it, only in a few weeks Instead of a few thousand years. They take a rather soft limestone and chem ically permeate it with various color ing uint.v.u, v, ...c.. u.ul. Into the aiuud, and are not a mere surface coloring, as in scagliola. The completed material takes a fine polish, and many of the fpeclmens are of beautiful color and marking. Used as a veneer, It Is about one-third the price of nature’s marble. Development of Good Applet. Apples are new In the economy of >e world’s use and taste. At the begining of the last century few va rieties were known. And we can go back in history to a time when all apples were little, sour and puckery— srab apples and nothing else.